Restocking hub with interchangeable buttons mapped to item identifiers

ABSTRACT

A restocking hub with interchangeable buttons mapped to item identifiers is described herein. In some instances, a local hub may receive an actuation signal from a particular interchangeable button communicatively coupled with the local hub. The actuation signal may include a button ID that identifies the particular interchangeable button and may indicating an actuation of the particular interchangeable button. The local hub may generate an order signal identifying the button ID based on the actuation signal, and may transmit the order signal instructing a remote server to perform a defined operation using the button ID. In some instances, the local hub may output a confirmation notification based on data received from the remote server based on the defined operation.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to technology for, among other things,providing intelligent item tracking and expedited item reordering bystakeholders. Some implementations relate to programmable smart buttonsand smart button hangers.

Stock rooms, kitchens, and other similar facilities often stock largenumbers of items. Some items are consumed and replaced on a regularbasis, while others wear out and are replaced sporadically. Currently,individuals, such as facilities managers, review the stock of items in astock room, manually calculate which items and how many of each item toorder to keep the stock rooms stocked. Typically, individuals use a penand paper to take notes and then manually review the notes to find theitems on a computer or in a catalog. This manual review and re-orderprocess can be extremely time consuming and inaccurate. For instance, insome larger buildings with multiple stock rooms, closets, or kitchens, afacilities manager may expend dozens of hours per week just maintaininginventory.

More recently, solutions have attempted to address the limitations ofmanual reordering through automatic delivery subscriptions or dedicatedordering devices. Automatic delivery subscriptions often result in anover or understock of items as usage can be variable and unpredictable,and subscriptions fail to address new or irregularly ordered items. Somesolutions include dedicated re-ordering devices, such as a computingdevice with an Internet connection (e.g., via a cellular network orWi-Fi) that is configured to order a specific quantity of a specificitem. However, these dedicated ordering devices are expensive due totheir direct connection to the internet and internal computationcapabilities, cannot order varying quantities of an item, and cannot beprogrammed to a specific item.

SUMMARY

According to one innovative aspect of the subject matter described inthis disclosure, a system may include: a button holder including abutton mount and an electrical contact, the button mount receiving andretaining an interchangeable button, the electrical contact providingelectrical power to the interchangeable button; the interchangeablebutton storing a button identification code (button ID), theinterchangeable button being adapted to transmit the button ID; and alocal hub including a processor and a communication unit, thecommunication unit transmitting data to and receiving data from a remoteserver, the communication unit receiving the button ID from one or moreof the interchangeable button and the button holder.

Implementations may include one or more of the following features. Thesystem where the local hub includes a non-transitory memory storinginstructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the local hubto: receive an actuation signal from the interchangeable button via thecommunication unit, the actuation signal including the button ID, theactuation signal indicating an actuation of the interchangeable button;generate one or more order signals based on the actuation signal, theone or more order signals identifying the button ID; and transmit theone or more order signals to the remote server based on theinterchangeable button being actuated and the local hub receiving theactuation signal from the interchangeable button, the order signalinstructing the remote server to perform a defined operation using thebutton ID. The system where the instructions further cause the local hubto: activate a microphone coupled with the local hub; receive audio fromthe microphone coupled with the local hub; process the audio todetermine a quantity; and generate the one or more order signals basedon the quantity. The system where the instructions further cause thelocal hub to: match the audio received from the microphone against anaudio wave profile from a set of audio wave profiles, the local hubstoring the set of audio wave profiles on a local storage device coupledwith the local hub; and determine the quantity based on the matchedaudio wave profile.

Implementations may additionally or alternatively include one or more ofthe following features. The system where the local hub activates themicrophone coupled with the local hub for a defined time period anddeactivates the microphone after an expiration of the defined timeperiod, the microphone being activated based on the actuation signalreceived from the interchangeable button. The system where theinstructions further cause the local hub to: receive a quantity signalfrom a keypad mechanism communicatively coupled with the local hub, thequantity signal identifying a number; and generate the one or more ordersignals based on the quantity signal received from the keypad mechanism.The system where the keypad mechanism is communicatively coupled withthe local hub via a wireless data connection, the wireless dataconnection allowing data to be transferred from the keypad mechanism tothe local hub. The system where the keypad mechanism is integrated withthe button holder in a hanger body of the button holder. The systemwhere the interchangeable button includes a second communication unitproviding a wireless communication channel between the interchangeablebutton and the communication unit of the local hub. The system where thebutton holder receives an actuation signal from the interchangeablebutton and transmits the actuation signal from the interchangeablebutton to the local hub. The system where the button holder isphysically coupled with the interchangeable button using the electricalcontact and wirelessly coupled with the local hub using thecommunication unit, the button holder including a correspondingcommunication unit adapted to transmit data to the communication unit ofthe local hub. The system where the button holder includes an elongatedbody adapted to fit on a front of a shelf and a plurality of buttonmounts positioned longitudinally along a length of the elongated body.The system where the remote server determines attributes of an itemassociated with the interchangeable button based on the button ID and amapping of button IDs stored on a database accessible to the remoteserver, and transmits an instruction to the local hub based on theattributes of the item.

Another general aspect may include a computer-implemented methodincluding: receiving, by a server, an order signal from a remoteinterchangeable-button hub coupled with one or more interchangeablebuttons, the order signal including a button identification code (buttonID) identifying a particular interchangeable button of the one or moreinterchangeable buttons and an instruction to the server to perform anoperation using the button ID, the order signal indicating actuation ofthe particular interchangeable button; determining, by the server,attributes of an item associated with the particular interchangeablebutton based on the button ID, a mapping of button IDs stored on adatabase accessible to the server, and the instruction to the server toperform the operation using the button ID; executing, by the server, theoperation based on the order signal; and transmitting, by the server, aconfirmation notification to the remote interchangeable-button hub basedon the operation. Other embodiments of this aspect include correspondingcomputer systems, apparatus, and computer programs recorded on one ormore computer storage devices, each configured to perform the actions ofthe methods.

The features and advantages described herein are not all-inclusive andmany additional features and advantages will be apparent to one orordinary skill in the art in view of the figures and description.Moreover it should be noted that the language used in the specificationhas been selected for readability and instructional purposes and not tolimit the scope of the inventive subject matter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosure is illustrated by way of example, and not by way oflimitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings in which likereference numerals are used to refer to similar elements.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an example system for inventory trackingand restocking using interchangeable and mappable buttons and hubsassociated with the buttons.

FIG. 2A is a data communication diagram illustrating an examplecommunication and process flow for mapping a new, customizable,mappable, or blank button.

FIG. 2B is a data communication diagram illustrating an examplecommunication and process flow for performing a defined operation basedon the activation and/or actuation of a button.

FIGS. 2C and 2D are a data communication diagrams illustrating examplecommunication and process flows for performing a defined operation basedon the actuation of a button, including determining a quantity of anitem.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example button and a button hanger.

FIG. 4A illustrates an example smart button hanger with example buttons.

FIGS. 4B and 4C illustrate an example button and mount with electricalcontacts.

FIG. 4D illustrates an example smart button hanger with example buttonsand integrated keypad.

FIG. 5A illustrates an example remote control device for communicatingwith a local hub.

FIG. 5B illustrates an example activation mechanism.

FIG. 5C illustrates an example remote keypad mechanism.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an example computing device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The technology disclosed in this application allows stakeholders, suchas a person responsible for ordering and reordering items for anorganization (e.g., business, family, etc.), to conveniently and easilytrack and reorder the items. The technology may include one or moreordering devices configured to facilitate ordering or reordering ofproducts. In some implementations, the technology disclosed in thisapplication allows users to easily and conveniently (re)order items viaan online marketplace using a dedicated ordering device, such as aspecialized button 112.

The features and advantages described herein are not all-inclusive andmany additional features and advantages are within the scope of thepresent disclosure. Moreover, it should be noted that the language usedin the present disclosure has been principally selected for readabilityand instructional purposes, and not to limit the scope of the subjectmatter disclosed herein.

The technology described herein provides for communication amonginterchangeable buttons 112 in a stock room, a local hub 110, and/or aremote server 122. The communication performed by the technology, suchas the systems, methods, devices, and other aspects, can providenumerous advantages, such as simplifying ordering of items forrestocking stock rooms and/or providing for an automatic inventorymanagement system of an organization. The technology may includeinterchangeable and, in some implementations, programmable/customizablebuttons 112 that communicate with a local hub 110, which relays signalsfor processing to the remote server 122.

With reference to the figures, reference numbers may be used to refer tocomponents found in any of the figures, regardless whether thosereference numbers are shown in the figure being described. Further,where a reference number includes a letter referring to one of multiplesimilar components (e.g., component 000a, 000b, and 000n), the referencenumber may be used without the letter to refer to one or all of thesimilar components.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an example system 100 for inventorytracking and restocking using interchangeable and mappable buttons 112and communication hubs. The illustrated system 100 may include clientdevices 106 a . . . 106 n, which may run client applications 108 a . . .108 n, a third-party server 118, a local hub 110, buttons 112 a . . .112 n, and an application server 122, which are electronicallycommunicatively coupled via a network 102 for interaction with oneanother, although other system configurations are possible includingother devices, systems, and networks. For example, the system 100 couldinclude any number of client devices 106, third-party servers 118,application servers 122, and other systems and devices.

The network 102 may include any number of networks and/or network types.For example, the network 102 may include, but is not limited to, one ormore local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs) (e.g., theInternet), virtual private networks (VPNs), wireless wide area network(WWANs), WiMAX® networks, personal area networks (PANs) (e.g.,Bluetooth® communication networks), various combinations thereof, etc.These private and/or public networks may have any number ofconfigurations and/or topologies, and data may be transmitted via thenetworks using a variety of different communication protocols including,for example, various Internet layer, transport layer, or applicationlayer protocols. For example, data may be transmitted via the networksusing TCP/IP, UDP, TCP, HTTP, HTTPS, DASH, RTSP, RTP, RTCP, VOIP, FTP,WS, WAP, SMS, MMS, XMS, IMAP, SMTP, POP, WebDAV, or other knownprotocols.

The client device 106 includes one or more computing devices having dataprocessing and communication capabilities. The client device 106 maycouple to and communicate with other client devices 106 and the otherentities of the system 100 via the network 102 using a wireless and/orwired connection, such as the local hub 110 or the application server122. Examples of client devices 106 may include, but are not limited to,mobile phones, tablets, laptops, desktops, netbooks, server appliances,servers, virtual machines, TVs, etc. The system 100 may include anynumber of client devices 106, including client devices 106 of the sameor different type.

A plurality of client devices 106 a . . . 106 n are depicted in FIG. 1to indicate that the application server 122 and its components mayaggregate information about and provide data associated with the systemsand processes described herein to a multiplicity of users 114 a . . .114 n on a multiplicity of client devices 106 a . . . 106 n. In someimplementations, a single user may use more than one client device 106,which the application server 122 may track and aggregate interactiondata associated with the user through a variety of different channelsincluding online, physical, and phone (e.g., text, voice, etc.)channels, as discussed elsewhere herein. In some implementations, theapplication server 122 may communicate with and provide information to aclient device 106 of a manager of an organization to track orders andinventory among a plurality of stock rooms, closets, kitchens, etc.,where local hubs 110 and buttons 112 may be present. For instance, theapplication server 122 may send data, such as graphical user interfaces,receipts, and confirmation messages, etc., to a client application 108 a. . . 108 n on a client device 106 a . . . 106 n.

The local hub 110 may include a computing device having one or morecommunication units (e.g., as described in reference to FIG. 6) forcommunicating with one or a plurality of buttons 112 a . . . 112 n, asmart hanger 132, and/or a server 122, a processor, a memory, and anoutput device, although additional or fewer components are possibledepending on the implementation. The local hub 110 may include anon-transitory memory storing instructions that, when executed by theprocessor, cause the local hub 110 to perform operations describedherein.

The local hub 110 may be placed in the vicinity of one or more buttons112, for example, in a stock room, closet, or another physical locationwith inventory that may be replenished. For instance, in someimplementations, the local hub 110 may be within range of wirelesscommunication with buttons 112 (or a smart button hanger 132, asdescribed in further detail below).

The local hub 110 may establish or maintain a wired or wirelessconnection with the buttons 112 via the communication unit of the localhub 110. In some implementations, the connection with the buttons 112may be established via a smart button hanger 132, as described infurther detail below. For example, the local hub 110 may include one ormore communication units (e.g., Bluetooth radios) configured tocommunicate with a communication unit (e.g., a Bluetooth radio) of oneor more of the buttons 112 and/or smart button hangers 132. In otherimplementations, the local hub 110 may interface with the button 112using other wired or wireless communication technologies. Inimplementations where the connection between the local hub 110 and thebuttons 112 is Bluetooth, for example, the Bluetooth pairing may beperformed in advance by a manufacturer or via simple pairing technique(e.g., by pressing and holding a button 112 or the smart button hanger132 and activating pairing mode on the local hub 110).

A communication unit of the local hub 110 may connect to the applicationserver 122 using a wired or wireless connection, such as a Wi-Fi™ (e.g.,via a local modem and/or Wi-Fi router), Bluetooth, or a cellular radio.For example, in some implementations, the local hub 110 may include acellular data modem allowing it to exchange data with the applicationserver 122 with minimal set-up (e.g., connecting to a local areanetwork, which is connected to the Internet).

In some implementations, an output device of the local hub 110 mayinclude a speaker, a display screen, or other output interface. Forexample, the local hub 110 may include a speaker coupled to a speechengine (e.g., a software service that translates data into syntheticspeech) for outputting instructions, confirmatory notifications, item,order, or price information, etc., based on instructions received froman application server 122, for example.

In some implementations, the local hub 110 may also include one or moreintegrated buttons 112, touch screens, microphones, or other inputdevices, and may include communication mechanisms for connecting thelocal hub 110 with the network 102, the application server 122, a clientdevice 106, buttons 112, etc., or for providing other input formodifying or canceling orders, activating buttons 112, or performingother actions, as described herein.

The local hub 110 may include computer logic executed by its processorcoupled to the communication unit and input/output devices. The computerlogic may perform the operations of the local hub 110 described herein,such as connecting to and receiving signals from the buttons 112,connecting to and transmitting signals to the application server 122,communicating with other buttons, speakers, microphones, or computingdevices, such as a smart hanger 132, and/or receiving signals from theapplication server 122 (e.g., instructions to output audio or displayinformation on the output device), for example. Other components of thelocal hub 110 may be described in reference to the example computerdevice in FIG. 6.

In some implementations, the buttons 112 a . . . 112 n may includehardware buttons which may, for example, generate a signal in responseto being actuated or pressed. In some implementations, a button 112 mayinclude a wireless radio (e.g., Bluetooth, Near Field Communication,RFID, etc.) that may generate and transmit a signal to the local hub 110indicating that the button 112 has been actuated. Alternatively oradditionally, a button 112 may have a wired/electrical contact basedconnection configured to transmit the signal from the button 112 to alocal hub 110 or to a smart button hanger 132, which in turn connects tothe local hub 110, as described herein.

A button 112 may, in some implementations, also include a battery and amicrochip for performing basic processing operations, such asprogrammably receiving, storing, and transmitting a buttonidentification code (button ID), item type, action type, and/orconnecting to another computing device, such as the local hub 110 and/ora smart hanger 132. In some implementations, a button 112 may beexternally powered and configured to, for example, in response toreceiving the external power, transmit a button ID. For instance, thebutton 112 may receive a current via one or more electrical contacts,which powers an internal circuit of the battery, which internal circuitmay send (e.g., via the electrical contacts) the button ID to the smarthanger 132, for example, as described in further detail below.

For example, each button 112 may have associated therewith a button ID,which may be transmitted in a signal to the local hub 110 (e.g.,directly or via a smart button hanger 132) and may identify theparticular button 112 to the local hub 110 and/or the enterpriseapplication 126. In some implementations, the button ID may combine witha local hub ID, for example, to uniquely identify the button 112, stockroom, local hub 110, an account associated with the button 112, etc. Insome implementations, the button 112 may be linked to a button ID in thememory of a local hub 110, so that the local hub 110 maps the particularbutton 112 to a button ID and, in response to receiving a signal fromthe button 112, translates the signal to a button ID and transmits thebutton ID to the application server 122.

In some implementations, a button ID may be programmed to match an itemID (which may be referred to herein simply as item), such as a stockkeeping unit (SKU), Universal Product Code (UPC), etc. In someinstances, the button ID may reference (e.g., in a database 128accessible to the local hub 110 and/or the application server 122) orinclude data describing attributes of an item, order (e.g., accountnumber, quantity, etc.), and/or account, etc.

A set of buttons 112 representing the specific inventory or orderpattern of items of a particular stock room, user, company, account,etc., can be used with a particular local hub 110 and/or smart hanger132. For example, company 1 may have a stock room where items A, B, andC are stocked and regularly ordered (e.g., ordered from a store, secondstock room, inventory center, or fulfillment center), but company 2 mayhave a stock room where items B, D, E, and F are stocked and regularlyordered. In this example, 3 buttons 112 respectively mapped to items A,B, and C may be connected to a local hub 110 associated with company 1,and 4 buttons 112 respectively mapped to items B, D, E, and F may beconnected to a local hub 110 associated with company 2. In the eventthat company 1 starts ordering item F, a new button 112 mapped to item F(e.g., specifically for orders by company 1 or for generally for ordersof item F) may be connected to the local hub 110 of company 1 or a blankor unmapped button 112 may be custom mapped to item F and connected tothe local hub 110 of company 1. Accordingly, buttons 112 connected to aparticular local hub 110 can be added, removed, and/or, in someinstances, (re)programmed to match the needs of a particular inventoryand order pattern.

A button 112 (or a smart hanger 132 coupled with a button 112) maytransmit a signal to the local hub 110 indicating that the button 112has been actuated. The signal may include, for example, the button ID,the number of times the button 112 was pressed (e.g., within a definedtime period), the duration of a button 112 press, a time/date when thebutton 112 was pressed, etc. For example, the button 112 (or a smarthanger 132 coupled with a button 112) may include logic allowing thebutton 112 to transmit information describing different actions (e.g., asingle, double, or triple button press) to the local hub 110. In someimplementations, some or all of this information may be added to thebutton 112 actuation information by the local hub 110 or smart buttonhanger 132 upon receiving an actuation signal from the button 112. Thebutton 112 (or a smart hanger 132 coupled with a button 112) may alsotransmit other information to the local hub 110, such as connection,battery, or diagnostic information. For example, the button 112 (or asmart hanger 132 coupled with a button 112) may transmit its batterylevel via the local hub 110 to the enterprise application 126(separately or in an actuation signal), which can ascertain, based onthe battery level and its level of use (e.g., how frequently the button112 is actuated), when to replace the button 112 or battery andautomatically dispatch a new button 112 or battery.

The smart hanger 132 may be an intermediary device coupling one or morebuttons 112 with a local hub 110, although, in some implementations, itmay be integrated with the local hub 110 or the functionality of thelocal hub 110 described herein. For example, the smart hub 110 mayprovide power and/or communication services to a button 112 to relayinformation from the button 112 to an application server 122, forexample, via the network 102, and, in some implementations, the localhub 110. In some implementations, the smart hanger 132 may include oneor more button mounts and one or more electrical contacts. For instance,a button mount may receive and detachably retain an interchangeablebutton and an electrical contact providing electrical power and/or datacommunication to the interchangeable button 112.

In some instances, the buttons 112 may be held by a button hanger 302,such as is described in reference to FIG. 3. A smart button hanger 132is described in further detail herein, for example, in reference toFIGS. 4A-4D. It should be noted that one or both of the hangers 302 and132 may also or alternatively be referred to as button holders and useof the term “hanger” should not be construed as requiring the hanger to“hang” itself or buttons.

In some implementations, the system 100 may include an activationmechanism 116 that prevents actions from being taken when buttons 112linked to a particular local hub 110 are accidentally actuated or whenthe buttons 112 are actuated by an unauthorized user. The activationmechanism 116 may be a device that connects to the buttons 112, smarthanger 132, local hub 110, or application server 122, for example, toactivate or deactivate a set of buttons 112. For instance, the presenceand/or use of an activation mechanism 116 may change a setting on thelocal hub 110, smart hanger 132, or application server 122 allowing thesignals from the buttons 112 to be transmitted, received, and/orprocessed. For example, the activation mechanism 116 may be a devicethat interacts with a local hub 110 or smart hanger 132 to activate thebuttons 112 (e.g., by authenticating the user). For example, theactivation mechanism 116 may be a wireless device, such as a keychain orfob (e.g., as described in reference to FIGS. 4D and 5A-5C), a wearabledevice, smartphone, etc. An activation mechanism 116 may be integratedwith the local hub 110 and/or smart hanger 132, for example, theactivation mechanism 116 may include a keypad, touch screen interface,microphone, or other input device integrated with the local hub 110. Insome implementations, the activation mechanism 116 may include a button112 (e.g., as described in reference to FIG. 1, 4B, or 5B, etc.) that isprogrammed or mapped (e.g., in the local hub 110 or database of 128accessible to the application server 122) to one or more activation orauthentication actions. For example, when a button 112 programmed as anactivation mechanism 116 is actuated, local hub 110 or applicationserver 122 may activate the other buttons 112 connected to the local hub110. The activation mechanism 116 is described in further detail inreference to FIG. 2B, for example.

The application server 122 may include a web server 124, an enterpriseapplication 126, and a database 128. In some configurations, theenterprise application 126 may be distributed over the network 102 ondisparate devices in disparate locations or may reside on the samelocations, in which case the client device 106 a and/or the applicationserver 122 may each include an instance of the enterprise application126 and/or portions thereof. The client devices 106 may also storeand/or operate other software such as a client application 108, anoperating system, other applications, etc., that are configured tointeract with the application server 122 via the network 102. In someimplementations, the application server 122 and the enterpriseapplication 126 may be located on a server remote to the local hub 110,such that the local hub 110 communicates with the application server 122(e.g., via the network 102) to perform actions, thereby reducingcomplexity of the local system (e.g., a local hub 110, buttons 112, and,in some instances, client device(s) 106) in a stock room or facility.

The application server 122 and the third-party server 118 have dataprocessing, storing, and communication capabilities, as discussedelsewhere herein. For example, the servers 122 and/or 118 may includeone or more hardware servers, server arrays, storage devices and/orsystems, etc. In some implementations, the servers 122 and/or 118 mayinclude one or more virtual servers, which operate in a host serverenvironment.

In some implementations, the enterprise application 126 may receivecommunications from the local hub 110 in order to place orders forrestocking a stock room, closet, or other facility at which the localhub 110 is located. For instance, the enterprise application 126 mayreceive a signal from the local hub 110 including informationidentifying the button 112, such as a button ID, which identifies thebutton 112 to the enterprise application 126. The enterprise application126 may also map new, blank, or unmapped buttons 112 to particularitems, actions, quantities, etc., or may remap existing buttons 112. Insome implementations, the enterprise application 126 may performadditional operations and communications based on the informationreceived from local hubs 110, as described elsewhere herein.

The database 128 may be stored on one or more information sources forstoring and providing access to data, such as the data storage device608. The database 128 may store various information describing buttons112, local hubs 110, customers, items, inventories, preferences, etc.For instance, the database 128 may store a mapping of buttons 112 (e.g.,button IDs) to particular items available from a first or third partyvendor (e.g., via the third-party server), particular local hubs 110 orusers (e.g., for a specific stock room, stock closet, kitchen, facility,or company) to which the buttons 112 are linked or communicativelycoupled, particular actions (e.g., activation, confirmation, etc., asdescribed elsewhere herein), or other data. The mappings of the buttons112 may be stored in a table or other type of database, as describedbelow.

In some implementations, the information about the buttons 112 stored inthe database 128 may include connection information, battery level,linked hub information, specific actions taken in response to types ofbutton presses (e.g., how many of an item to order in response to adefined number, duration, or pattern of button presses), urgency ofcorresponding item orders (e.g., a triple button press may automaticallycause an immediate order and over-night delivery of a correspondingitem), quantities of items, whether the button 112 is a customizable orstatic button 112, preferences specific to the button 112, etc.

The database 128 may store other information relative to local hubs 110(e.g., battery, connection status, buttons 112 linked to the hub,associated account information, activation mechanism 116, authenticationrequirements, etc.), client devices 106, stock rooms, paymentinformation, customer (e.g., a user, local hub 110, and/or company)profiles, order histories, customer preferences, etc. For example, thedatabase 128 may track types, quantities, frequency, etc., of itemsordered via a particular button 112, local hub 110, user, or company.The database 128 may also or alternatively store other data relevant tothe operation of the system 100, as described throughout thisdisclosure.

A third-party server 118 can host services such as a third-partyapplication (not shown), which may be individual and/or incorporatedinto the services provided by the application server 122.

It should be understood that the system 100 illustrated in FIG. 1 isrepresentative of an example system and that a variety of differentsystem environments and configurations are contemplated and are withinthe scope of the present disclosure. For instance, various acts and/orfunctionality may be moved from a server to a client, or vice versa,data may be consolidated into a single data store or further segmentedinto additional data stores, and some implementations may includeadditional or fewer computing devices, services, and/or networks, andmay implement various functionality client or server-side. Further,various entities of the system may be integrated into a single computingdevice or system or divided into additional computing devices orsystems, etc.

FIG. 2A is a data communication diagram 200 a illustrating an examplecommunication and process flow for mapping and using a new,customizable, mappable, or blank button 112 with the system 100. In someimplementations, a button ID may be unique to each specific button 112and may be mapped (or may be customizable or mappable, as describedherein) to particular information on the database 128. For instance, aunique button ID may be mapped in the database 128 to a particular item,quantity, button 112 behavior (e.g., various types of button 112 pressesperforming different actions, as described elsewhere herein), user,company, product supplier, price, etc. This mapping may be performed inadvance by a stake holder associated with the enterprise application126, a factory or manufacturer, or it may be performed by a stock roomor facilities manager, for example, as described in the diagram 200 a.In some implementations, a button 112 may additionally or alternativelybe mapped to a particular slot on a smart hanger 132 or a particularslot on a smart hanger 132 may be mapped to an item and button 112, forinstance.

In the example implementation of FIG. 2A, a client device 106, of a user(e.g., a store room manager), a dedicated device situated in room orother location, etc., can be used to transmit an item description to theenterprise application 126 (e.g., via a web server 124, etc.). The itemdescription may include a bar code, QR code, SKU (stock keeping unit)number, image of a product or box of a product, a natural languagedescription, or a Boolean search query, for example. The itemdescription may be transmitted from the client device 106 to theenterprise application 126 in a signal over text message (e.g., SMS orMMS), e-mail, HTML, etc. By way of further example, the client device106, may be a portable electronic device (e.g., a mobile phone, a tabletcomputer, another electronic device equipped with an optical sensor(e.g., a camera), a, personal computer, etc. In some implementations,the client device 106 may include the local hub 110, although in otherimplementations, the hub may be a simple device that is not capable ofcapturing, receiving, and/or transmitting pictures, or other complexuser inputs.

For example, at 202, a client device 106 may receive and/or capture animage of an item, although, other item descriptions are possible. Theclient device 106 may transmit the image to an enterprise application126 operable on a remote server, such as the application server 122.

In some implementations, the client device 106 may also transmit asignal, or an instruction may otherwise be provided, to the local hub110 and/or the enterprise application 126 indicating that the userwishes to train a button 112 for a new item.

At 204, once the enterprise application 126 receives the signalincluding the item description from the client device 106, it mayprocess the description to identify the product/item in the description.For example, in instances where the item description includes an itemimage (e.g., an image of the item, item packaging, etc.), the enterpriseapplication 126 may identify a particular item corresponding to the itemimage by performing object detection and recognition processing on theimage (e.g., using currently available solutions in the field ofcomputer vision). This is beneficial as the stock room manager canquickly capture an image, send the image in an MMS message to theapplication server 122, and the application server 122 can determine theparticular item without the manager having to spend time searching forthe particular item type or enter a specific search query.

In some implementations, as described in further detail below, the itemdescription may include text (e.g., via an e-mail, SMS text message,etc.) or a media file, such as audio or video that may be analyzed toidentify an item, using information about an item or account associatedwith the user, local hub 110, and/or client device 106. For instance, anitem description indicating “mop” may be first compared with an orderhistory associated with the account to see if a mop has previously beenordered, and if so, the item may automatically be determined to be thepreviously ordered mop. In some instances, the enterprise application126 may send a confirmation message. In some implementations, if nomatching item is found in the order history, the enterprise application126 may perform a broader query of available items or seek clarificationfrom the user via the client device 106 and/or the local hub 110.

In some instances, where there is a threshold level of uncertainty inthe identity, quantity, color, etc., of the item based on the analysisof the item description, or if additional clarification or customizationis possible or requested, the enterprise application 126 may prompt theuser via a message transmitted to the client device 106 and/or local hub110, for instance, to seek clarification or customization. Additionally,in some implementations, the enterprise application 126 may use theorder history of the user (or account associated with the user) to moreaccurately or rapidly identify the particular item, decrease theuncertainty in the object recognition/item identification, orautomatically customize actions/orders associated with the particularitem for the button 112. For example, the enterprise application 126 mayrecognize Brand Y pencils based on the item image and then determine,based on the order history of the user, that the user had previouslyordered 5 boxes of Brand Y pencils, in response to which determination,the enterprise application 126 may automatically set the default orderquantity associated with the button ID to 5 boxes of Brand Y pencils.

At 208, the enterprise application 126 may then generate an electronicinstruction (which may include one or more instructions) based on therecognized particular item and, at 210, transmit the instruction in asignal to the local hub 110 (or to the client device 106, depending onthe implementation) to output the instruction, which may cause the localhub 110 or client device 106 to direct a user to actuate the unmappedbutton 112. In some implementations, at 214, the local hub 110 mayoutput the instruction and run the data received from the enterpriseapplication 126 through a text-to-speech application. For example, theinstruction generated, transmitted, and output may identify the specificitem, quantity, item attributes, etc., of the determined item. Theinstruction may provide instructions to the user (via the client device106 and/or the local hub 110) to actuate an unmapped or customizablebutton 112 within a defined time period. For instance, the enterpriseapplication 126 may then await (e.g., for a defined time period) receiptof an identification code/button ID of an unmapped or customizablebutton 112 at 212.

At 216, the user/manager may actuate an unmapped button 112 (or insert anew blank button, such as described according to some implementations ofFIGS. 4A and 4B), thereby causing the button 112 to transmit to thelocal hub 110 (either directly or via a smart button hanger 132), at218, the button ID in response to receiving the user input.

At 220, upon receiving the signal including the button ID of theactuated button 112, the local hub 110 may generate and, at 222,transmit a signal relaying the button ID to the enterprise application126. In some cases, if the enterprise application 126 receives thebutton ID from the unmapped button 112 while the enterprise application126 is in the await button ID state, at 224, the enterprise application126 may map the button ID to the identified particular item and, in someinstances, the local hub 110 from which the signal was received. Thebutton ID may be mapped to a particular item, quantity, etc., asdescribed elsewhere herein.

In addition to mapping the button 112 to the particular item, the localhub 110 and/or enterprise application 126 may allow the user to furthercustomize the actions taken in response to pressing the button 112, forinstance, the user may assign a number of button 112 presses to aparticular operation or quantity of the item, for example, one pressorders one box, one half shelf capacity, a defined number, or some otherquantity of the item while two or three presses of the button 112 ordersa different quantity of the particular item.

In some implementations, the mapping of a new, blank, unmapped, orcustomizable button 112 may trigger an additional action, such asordering a decal that the user can place on the newly mapped button 112to identify the button 112 as being associated with the particularaction or item. For example, in some implementations, a button 112 mayinclude an attachable face plate or decal that can be attached to a bodyof the button 112 for identifying the particular item mapped to thebutton 112.

FIG. 2B is a data communication diagram 200 b illustrating an examplecommunication and process flow for performing a defined operation basedon the activation and/or actuation of a button 112.

At 232, an activation mechanism 116 may generate an activation signaland, at 234, transmit it to the local hub 110 and/or smart hanger 132.In some instances, a user/manager may use an activation mechanism 116 toactivate a set of buttons 112, for example, a set of buttons 112connected to a specific local hub 110 and/or smart hanger 132. In someimplementations, the activation mechanism 116 may be a button 112(connected directly to a local hub 110 or connected indirectly to thelocal hub 110 via a smart hanger 132) mapped to operations that includeactivating, deactivating, or other operations. For instance, inimplementations where an activation mechanism 116 includes a button 112(e.g., an activation button 116) connected to the local hub 110 viawired or wireless connection, directly or via the smart hanger 132, forexample, the activation button 116 may be pressed once to activate theset of buttons 112 connected to the local hub 110 and twice todeactivate the set of buttons 112 and, in some instances, place an ordercorresponding to the buttons 112 pressed while the buttons 112 wereactivated (or, for example, the order may be confirmed and submitted inresponse to tapping and holding the button 112). For example, anactivation button 116 may be placed off to the side of an entry to astock room so the user may single press the activation button 116 uponentering the room to activate the buttons 112 in the room (e.g., for adefined time period or until deactivation is triggered) and, uponexiting the room, the user may double press the activation button 116 todeactivate the buttons 112. The double press may also be configured toimmediately send, order, or confirm the order placed by pressing theactivated buttons 112 in the room. In some implementations, the button112 may be actuated using a non-touch gesture, voice actuation, or otherinput. In such implementations, the button 112 may include correspondingsensors to detect the input (e.g., camera to detect physical non-touchgestures, microphone to detect a voice command, etc.) and correspondingprocessing logic executable to process and respond to such input. Anexample implementation of an activation mechanism is described at leastin reference to FIG. 5B herein.

In some implementations, activation of the buttons 112 may automaticallytrigger a timer, after which the buttons 112 are timed-out ordeactivated. For instance, upon activation, the buttons 112 in a room orconnected to a local hub 110 may be active for 5 minutes, after whichthe buttons 112 are automatically deactivated and will no longerfunction (whether at a button 112, local hub 110, or enterpriseapplication 126 level) until they are activated again.

In some implementations, a single press of the activation mechanism 116may activate the buttons 112 while two presses of the activationmechanism 116 deactivates the buttons 112, for example, using the samemethod as described in reference to FIG. 2C. In some implementations,although not illustrated, the enterprise application 126 may transmit anotification to the client device 106 that buttons 112 have beenactivated or deactivated.

In some implementations, the activation mechanism 116 may include otherdevices, such as a smart phone, wearable device, or other device thatmay signal activation of the buttons 112 when it is within a definedrange of the local hub 110, for example, as described in reference toFIG. 5A-5C.

At 236, upon receipt of the activation signal by the local hub 110, thelocal hub 110 may activate the set of buttons 112 which are linked tothe local hub 110. This activation may be performed at the level of thelocal hub 110 (e.g., by the hub connecting to or beginning passingsignals from the buttons 112 to the enterprise application 126), thelevel of a smart hanger 132, or a the level of the enterpriseapplication 126, for example, the local hub 110 may relay, at 268, theactivation signal to the enterprise application 126, which then knows(in response to receiving the activation signal or having the activationsignal validated by the local hub 110) to accept signals from the mappedbuttons 112 (or buttons 112 being mapped, as in FIG. 2A) as valid. Insome implementations, the activation signal signals the buttons 112 toconnect to the local hub 110 to power on or the local hub 110 to beginaccepting signals indicating that the button 112 has been pressed.

At 240, the button(s) 112 may receive user input, for example, a button112 may receive a single, double, triple, or long press. At 242, inresponse to receiving the user input, the mapped buttons 112 maytransmit the signal indicating actuation of the button 112 to the localhub 110 directly or via the smart hanger 132, as described below. Forexample, the local hub 110 may receive an actuation signal from aparticular button 112 of a set of interchangeable buttons 112communicatively coupled with the local hub 110. The signal may includethe button ID, number of times the button 112 was pressed, and/or otherinformation, such as battery level and connection status. In someimplementations, the button ID may include information identifying thetype of button 112 (e.g., a button 112 for ordering Brand X paper) andthe signal received from the local hub 110 (e.g., by the enterpriseapplication 126) may identify both the type of button 112 and local hub110 identification information, so that together, the local hub 110identification information and the button ID may identify the particularbutton 112 and the actions or information associated with the button112.

The local hub 110 may then, at 244, relay the signal indicating theactuation of a button 112 (or, in some instances, multiple buttons 112)in a transmission, at 246, to the enterprise application 126. Forexample, the local hub 110 may transmit a signal including a button IDof the particular button 112 to the enterprise application 126 on theremote server based on the particular button 112 being activated and thelocal hub 110 receiving the actuation signal from the particular button112. For example, the local hub 110 may receive an actuation signalincluding a button ID of the button 112 from the interchangeable button112 via a communication unit of the local hub 110.

In some implementations, the signal transmitted by the local hub 110 mayinclude a button ID and additional information relating to the actuationof a button 112, which additional information may be generated by thebutton 112 or the local hub 110 (e.g., the local hub 110 may addadditional information to the button ID transmitted by a given button112). For example, the signal may further include the time and date ofactuation of the button 112, whether the button 112 was activated at thetime it was pressed, hub identification information, informationidentifying a user who pressed or activated the button 112 (as describedelsewhere herein in reference to the activation mechanism 116), for howlong and/or how many times the button 112 was pressed, button 112battery level, connection, or other button 112 diagnostic information,hub battery level, connection, or other hub diagnostic information, orany other that may information used for the techniques described herein.This information may be stored and linked or mapped together by theenterprise application 126 in the database 128 for further access andprocessing according to the techniques described herein.

In some implementations, if a button 112 is pressed when thesystem/buttons 112 are activated, the local hub 110 may issue an audiblemessage or a notification may be transmitted (e.g., via the local hub110 or enterprise application 126) to the client device 106. Forinstance, if a button 112 is pressed when it is not activated, the localhub 110 may output an audible “Please do not touch. Please see a managerfor reordering supplies.” Additionally or alternatively the enterpriseapplication 126 may transmit a notification to the manager than theinactive button 112 has been pressed (e.g., with an identification ofthe date, time, and specific button 112 or local hub 110).

At 248, in some implementations, the enterprise application 126 mayprocess the actuation signal to identify mapped item attributes and/ororder information corresponding to the button ID (e.g., accountinformation, local hub 110 information, etc.) of the actuated button 112and, in some instances, the number of times the button 112 was pressed.The enterprise application 126 may determine an item associated with theparticular button 112 and attributes of the item based on the button IDof the particular button 112 and a mapping of button IDs to items in adatabase 128 accessible by the enterprise application 126. For instance,the enterprise application 126 may determine a particular item mapped tothe button ID, the quantity of the item corresponding to the number ofbutton presses, the price of the item (e.g., from a particular vendor orspecific to an account associated with the button ID, local hub 110, oraccount). In some implementations, the enterprise application 126 mayadd a cost of the determined quantity of the item to a running totalcost of a current order.

In some implementations, after a button 112 is pressed and the button IDand associated information are identified, the enterprise application126 may determine a quantity of the particular item for a button 112press (or multiple button 112 presses) based on a user preference,matched audio wave profile (e.g., as described in reference to FIGS. 2Cand 2D), order history, shelf capacity, predicted date at which thecurrent inventory of the item will be depleted based on predicted usageand order history, etc. For example, if a facilities manager, local hub110, account, etc., typically (e.g., within a standard deviation orother threshold frequency) orders 12 boxes of paper, a single button 112press may be mapped to/order this quantity. If less frequently (e.g.,within a second defined threshold) the facilities manager orders 16boxes of paper, then a double button 112 press may be mapped to/orderthis quantity. In some implementations, some or all of the button 112presses (e.g., a double button 112 press) may cause the enterpriseapplication 126 to dynamically determine a quantity of the item to orderbased on order history, optimal quantity for a price discount, etc., asdescribed above. It should be noted that the quantity and type of itemscan be further customized and that although different button 112 pressesand computer learning effects are discussed in relation to itemquantity, they may also relate to item type, color, etc.

At 250, once the item attributes and, in some instances, orderinformation are identified, the enterprise application 126 may generatean instruction based on the item attributes and/or order information,for example, based on a defined user, local hub 110, button 112,account, or administrator preference. The enterprise application 126 maytransmit a signal to the local hub 110 including the instructions andindicating to output the instructions via the output device of the localhub 110 at 252.

At 254, the local hub 110 may output information including the itemattribute(s), order information, and/or other notifications (e.g., a lowbattery notification) based on the instructions. In someimplementations, the output may include a confirmation of the item,quantity, or cost. In some implementations, the output may also includea running total of the current order or notifications when specificquantities or prices are reached. For instance, the user may place alimit on the total value of any given order (e.g., $2,500) and theoutput may include an audio notification that the value has been reachedor is being approached. In some instances, the frequency ofnotifications of running total cost, total quantity of items, or anyother value mapped to the actuated buttons 112, may be presented to theuser as the value approaches a defined threshold. It should beunderstood that one or more dynamic or static limits or notificationsmay be programmably placed on a given order or item or set of orders oritems (e.g., a total of $3,000 for a day, week, month, or year oforders). For example, a speaker of the local hub 110 may indicate thatthe total for the order or set of orders has reached certain amounts(e.g., $1,000, $1,500, $2,000). These settings, operations, and values(along with others described herein, for instance) may be processed,tracked, and notifications sent by the enterprise application 126 toreduce the complexity and cost of the hub while increasing redundancy,security, and speed of the system as a whole.

In some implementations, the enterprise application 126 may also oralternatively transmit the item attributes and/or order information to aclient device 106 associated with the local hub 110/account/actuatedbuttons 112. For instance, based on a defined preference, the enterpriseapplication 126 may send a text message, instant message, e-mail, pushnotification, or update a spreadsheet, online cart, or webpage when anitem (or set of items, order, etc.) is added or removed using the mappedbuttons 112 and/or upon completion of an order.

At 256, the enterprise application 126 may execute a defined actionbased on the mapped item attributes, order information, and signal(s)from the local hub 110. For instance, the enterprise application 126 maytransmit notifications, update spreadsheets or other forms, place anorder (whether as a batch of items or item by item), order a replacementbutton 112 (e.g., based on diagnostic, battery, connection, orobsolescence data of the button 112), and/or perform other operationsbased on a defined trigger.

In some implementations, the enterprise application 126 may place abatch order with items ordered using the buttons 112 from a particularlocal hub 110 or group of local hubs 110 (e.g., when a user ororganization has a local hub 110 in a kitchen, stock room, or at otherlocations) in response to a trigger (e.g., a defined time, button press,etc.). For instance, at a defined time (e.g., 4 pm) the enterpriseapplication 126 may batch the items ordered using the buttons 112 over adefined time period (e.g., since 4 pm the previous day). The enterpriseapplication 126 may also transmit a notification to the client device106 of a user (e.g., as identified by being mapped to a button ID, localhub 110, account, or based on use of an activation mechanism 116) thatthe order has been submitted, the notification including details aboutthe items and order and, in some instances, an option to adjust theorder within a defined time period. Other triggers may include theactuation of an activation button 116 (e.g., a double press, asdescribed above), departure of an activation mechanism 116 from theproximity of a local hub 110, confirmation using a button 112 integratedwith the local hub 110, confirmation on a graphical interface presentedon a client device 106, and so forth.

In some implementations, a defined action taken by the enterpriseapplication 126 may include updating a database 128 or spreadsheet of anorganization to track internal inventory or orders. For instance, someorganizations have large building or campuses of buildings with multiplesub-storage areas, such as stock rooms, kitchens, closets, etc., whereitems are stocked and, in some instances, may have a main storage areawhere items are distributed from the main inventory to the individualstock rooms, etc. One or more of the sub-storage areas may have a set ofbuttons 112 and a local hub 110. When the buttons 112 are actuated, thelocal hub 110 may transmit the signal directly to a server or otherclient device 106 associated with the organization or large storage areaso that inventory and orders within the organization can be authorizedand tracked. In some implementations, each of the local hubs 110transmits signals to an application server 122 associated with athird-party (e.g., on the third-party server 118), which then providesthe item, and order information to one or more client devices 106associated with the organizations.

In some implementations, a janitor in such an organization may actuate aset of buttons 112 connected with a local hub 110 (e.g., wirelessly,wiredly, via a smart hanger 132, etc.) in a janitor's closet. The localhub 110 may transmit signals including the button IDs to a client device106 (either directly or via the enterprise application 126, as describedabove). The client device 106 and/or the enterprise application 126 mayupdate a database 128 with the requests from the janitor's closet, whichmay be fulfilled within the organization, provided to the janitor as areminder of requested items so that the janitor may retrieve the itemsfrom the main storage area, or provided for processing by theorganization. For instance, the organization, using a client device 106of the organization, may submit one or more orders to the enterpriseapplication 126 for processing or fulfillment by one or more vendors.The orders may include the items ordered as well as, in someimplementations, additional metadata, such as which items were orderedby a particular local hub 110 or user, so that, upon fulfillment, theappropriate items may be delivered to the correct sub-storage area, ormay be, in some instances, delivered to the main storage area toreplenish its inventory.

FIG. 2C is a block diagram illustrating an example method 200 c forperforming a defined operation based on the activation and/or actuationof a button 112 including determining a quantity of an itemcorresponding to the actuated button 112. For instance, the method 200 cmay include adjusting, using speech recognition, a quantity of itemsordered by actuating a mapped button 112. It should be noted that theoperations of the method 200 c may be combined with the other operationsof the methods described herein and may include additional or fewerfeatures without departing from the scope of this disclosure.

In some implementations, at 258, the local hub 110 (although theoperations of the method 200 c may be performed by a smart hanger 132)may receive a signal indicating actuation of a mapped button 112 (e.g.,in response to a user pressing a button 112). For instance, the signalmay include an ID identifying the button 112 and/or item, for example,as described above. The signal may be received by a component of thesystem 100, such as a smart hanger 132, local hub 110, or applicationserver 122.

In some implementations, at 260, the local hub 110 may process theactuation signal to identify mapped item attributes or order informationbased on the button ID, for example, as described elsewhere herein. Insome implementations, the local hub 110 may process the actuation signalby transmitting the button ID to an application server 122, as describedelsewhere herein. It should be noted that, in some instances, the localhub 110 may wait to transmit the signal with the button ID until aquantity of an item is known (e.g., based on 268 below).

In some implementations, at 262, the button 112, smart hanger 132, localhub 110, or another component of the system 100 may output audio (orvisual) information indicating identification of the mapped item,receipt of the input from the button 112, and/or instruction to providea quantity. For instance, the audio may include a beep or other sound ormay include an audible (e.g., text to speech) identification of the item(e.g., “granola bars”). In some implementations, the audio may identifya quantity of the item ordered. For instance, a single button press mayorder 4 boxes of cereal, a double button press may order 6 boxes ofcereal, and a triple button press may order 8 boxes of cereal. Forexample, after receiving an actuation signal indicating that the button112 was pressed twice, a speaker or other device coupled with the localhub 110, button 112, or smart hanger 132, may output audio confirming 6boxes of cereal. As described in further detail elsewhere herein, thequantities corresponding to button presses may be user selectable,learned based on order history, or defined based on another parameter.

At 264, in some implementations, in response to receiving the actuationsignal, the local hub 110, smart hanger 132, or button 112 may activatea microphone coupled with one of these components 110, 112, or 132, fora defined time period. For instance, in response to receiving a signalfrom a button 112, a local hub 110 may activate a microphone for 3seconds (or another defined time period), or until the time elapses or arecognized audio signal or another button press is received, after whichthe local hub may deactivate the microphone. For instance, the timeperiod may be set to 3 seconds, but may terminate early if receivedaudio matches an audio wave profile, as described below, or anotherbutton press is received. In some implementations, the microphone may bedeactivated outside of the time period to increase security and preventunintended activation. In some implementations, the defined time periodmay begin after the audio output described above has completed.

In some implementations, at 266, a processor coupled to the microphonemay process audio received via the microphone. In some implementations,the processor may be in a local hub 110 or smart hanger 132, although itmay be in another device. For instance, a local hub 110 may beconfigured to receive a signal to activate a microphone, process audioto search for a defined sound pattern (e.g., representing a spokenquantity) or audio wave profile, and transmit a signal identifying anidentified sound pattern/wave profile to another component of the system100. In some instances, the local hub may store a set of audio waveprofiles on a local storage device coupled with the local hub, so thatprocessing can be performed locally instead of transferring the audioover a network 102. As such, only defined words may be recognized andaudio is not transmitted to another device (e.g., the application server122), thereby reducing bandwidth usage and increasing security. Such astand-alone device may be integrated into the local hub 110, smarthanger 132, or may be stand-alone (e.g., separate from, butcommunicatively coupled with a local hub 110), thereby increasingsecurity.

In some implementations, the processor coupled with the microphone mayperform sound pattern or wave profile matching of audio received duringthe time period against a database including a defined set of patternsor profiles. For instance, the set may include only those patternscorresponding to numbers between 1 and 100 (or 1-40, 1-20, 1-50, 2-40,or another defined range). In some implementations, the defined set ofpatterns may also include various languages, for example, it may includea defined pattern/profile corresponding to each of “five,” “cinco,” and“cinq,” etc.

At 268, in some implementations, upon detection of a particular waveprofile/pattern, the processor may transmit a signal identifying theparticular wave profile. For instance, if the processor detects a wavepattern corresponding to “fifteen,” it may transmit a signal to thelocal hub 110 or other component of the system 100 with the number“fifteen.” In some implementations, the signal may not include any audiofrom the microphone. In some implementations, when the processor isintegrated with the local hub 110, in response to recognizing a wavepattern corresponding to a given quantity, the local hub 110 maytransmit a wave pattern identification code or a number corresponding tothe wave pattern to the application server 122. In some instances, thelocal hub 110 may transmit the quantity along with a button ID.

As a summary example, in some implementations, the system (e.g., a localhub 110) may receive a button ID from a mapped button 112, determine adefault quantity of items corresponding to the button 112, and, in someinstances, may output audio indicating the quantity, as described above.In some implementations, if the system received audio input and matchedit to one of the defined set of wave profiles or patterns, the systemmay transmit a signal to the application server 122 indicating to adjustthe quantity corresponding to the previous button press based on thematched wave profile. In some instances, the local hub 110 may modify aquantity of the item and then send a signal to the application server122 identifying the item and/or button ID and the signal. For example,the local hub 110 may generate a file including a button ID and aquantity based on the matched sound pattern, which may cause theapplication server 122 to override the default quantity associated withthe specific button 112/item and replace it with the quantity includedin the received file. As such, the system may adapt to instances wherean order deviates from a quantity previously associated with a button112. Accordingly, an order can be placed using an exactly defined itemand quantity, for example, as described in further detail elsewhereherein.

At 270, in some implementations, the local hub 110 may output audioindicating a defined quantity of the item mapped to the actuated button112 based on the particular wave profile and identification of themapped item. For instance, the audio confirmation may be based on localprocessing by the local hub 110 or may be based on order detailsreceived from an application server 122. For instance, in response toreceiving the file from the local hub 110, the application server 122may transmit (e.g., via the web server 124) a signal including thequantity and/or identification of the item to the local hub 110, whichmay generate an audible output based on the quantity and/oridentification of the item. In some implementations, the applicationserver 122 confirmation may also or alternatively be sent to a clientdevice 106 or account data associated with the user local hub 110.

FIG. 2D is a data communication diagram 200 d illustrating an examplecommunication and process flow for performing a defined operation basedon the activation and/or actuation of a button 112, includingdetermining a quantity of an item, for example, using voice or a keypad442 (or 542). As illustrated, a keypad mechanism 442 and/or button 112may be coupled with a smart hanger 132. For instance, the button 112 maybe an interchangeable button 112 coupled with the smart hanger 132, asdescribed in reference to FIGS. 4A-4D.

In some implementations, the method 200 d may include generating andtransmitting an activation signal, activating mapped button(s) 112,receiving user input from the buttons 112 (and/or a smart hanger 132),and transmitting signals to the local hub 110 and or enterpriseapplication 126 as described above, for example, in reference to FIGS.2A-2C. It should be noted that, as described elsewhere herein, theoperations of the buttons 112, smart hanger 132, and/or local hub 110may be performed on different devices, further delineated, rearranged,or combined. For instance, features of buttons 112 and/or theiroperations may be combined those described in reference to a smarthanger 132 and/or a local hub 110.

At 272, a user may provide input actuating a button 112 (e.g., aphysical actuation or, for instance, a capacitive actuation), which isreceived by the button 112. At 274, the button 112, in response to theactuation may transmit a button ID to the local hub 110. In someimplementations, the button 112 may, for instance, have a Bluetoothconnection with the local hub 110. For instance, the button 112 may bean active device that, in response to input, may transmit information toanother device, such as the local hub 110. In some implementations, thebutton 112 may be physically placed in/on a smart button hanger 132,which provides electrical current, and in some instances, processingand/or communication services to the button 112. For instance, thebutton 112 may be a passive device with limited programmablecapabilities. For example, the button 112 may receive a current (e.g.,via contact, induction, etc.) from a smart button hanger 132 (or localhub 110, etc., depending on the implementation) and, in response, sendits programmed button ID and/or other information to the local hub 110directly or via the smart button hanger 132. For example, the smartbutton hanger 132 may be communicatively coupled with the local hub 110(e.g., via Bluetooth, etc.).

For example, in some implementations, a smart hanger 132 may receive asignal from a button 112 coupled with the smart hanger 132 and maytransmit the signal, or a signal derived therefrom, to the local hub110. In some implementations, a passive button may receive powercontinuously or only when actuated and may rely on a smart button hanger132 for communication with the local hub 110 and/or enterpriseapplication 126.

At 276, in some implementations, in response to receiving a signalindicating that a mapped button 112 has been actuated (and/or that aconfirmatory output has completed, as described above), the local hub110 may activate a microphone (e.g., coupled with the local hub 110) fora defined time period (e.g., a capture period). The local hub 110 mayprocess the audio received from the microphone to determine a quantity,which may be used to generate a signal to the enterprise application 126(e.g., at 284 and/or as described above).

In some implementations, the local hub 110 may also or alternativelyactivate a keypad mechanism 442 or 542 (e.g., as described in referenceto FIG. 4D, 5A, or 5C). For instance, activating the keypad mechanism442 or 542 may include powering on, connecting to, or otherwisebeginning to receive or process input from the keypad mechanism 442 or542. The defined time period for the keypad 442 or 542 may be the sameas for the microphone or may be a different time period. For instance,the keypad may remain active until another mapped button 112 is actuatedor an ordering session is completed (e.g., based on the activationmechanism 116), as described elsewhere herein. Accordingly, because themicrophone and/or keypad mechanism 442 or 542 isn't always listening forinput, the process is more efficient and secure.

At 278, in some implementations, the keypad mechanism 442 or 542 mayreceive input from a user and, at 280, may transmit a signal based onthe input to the local hub 110. In instances where the keypad mechanism442 is coupled with the smart hanger 132, the smart hanger 132 mayprocess the input to identify the quantity and may transmit a signalincluding data identifying the quantity to the local hub 110. Ininstances where the keypad mechanism 542 is a stand-alone devicewirelessly coupled with the local hub 110 (e.g., as described inreference to FIG. 5C), the keypad mechanism 542 may process the inputand transmit the quantity to the local hub 110, or the local hub 110 mayprocess each button press as incoming data from the keypad mechanism 542to identify the quantity.

At 282, the local hub 110 may determine the quantity based on thematched audio wave profile or, in some implementations, a numericalinput from a keypad mechanism 442 or 542. Because the audio receivedindicating the quantity is processed on the local device (e.g., thelocal hub 110) rather than transmitted to a server 122 for processing,the efficiency and security of the process is increased.

In some implementations, the local hub 110 may determine a quantitybased on a quantity signal identifying a quantity received from a keypadmechanism 442 or 542, which may be communicatively coupled with thelocal hub 110.

At 284, the local hub 110 may then use the determined quantity togenerate a signal based on the button 112 actuation, the quantity signalfrom the keypad mechanism 442 or 542, and/or the audio wave profile(e.g., based on the number determined from the audio wave profile). Forinstance, the quantity determined from the audio command may be combinedwith the button ID to generate a signal or order request file, which maybe transmitted to the enterprise application for processing andcompletion of the order.

The local hub 110 may generate one or more order signals relaying theorder request file and identifying the button ID to the enterpriseapplication 126, for instance, on a remote server (e.g., the applicationserver 122). In some implementations, the local hub 110 may relay thebutton ID and/or quantity to the enterprise application 126. In someimplementations, the local hub 110 may decode a signal (e.g., anactuation signal) from the button 112 including or referencing thebutton ID and generate a signal to transmit to the enterpriseapplication 126. In some implementations, the local hub 110 may provideadditional information in the signal to the enterprise application 126,such as an identification code of the local hub 110, a quantity (e.g.,based on the number of times the button 112 was actuated, an input intothe keypad 442 or 542, or detected audio wave profile), whether a button112 and/or local hub 110 is activated, etc.

The order request file may be beneficial as it may define the exact itemand quantity desired in a more accurate way than merely using artificialintelligence to listen to a request for an item and then guessing theexact item and/or quantity that a user meant. For instance, the orderrequest file may include an item ID (e.g., a stock keeping unit,universal product code, etc.) or a button ID, which may be mapped to theitem ID, as described in further detail above, thereby eliminatingambiguity of voice or button only systems. Further, a two-stepinteraction (e.g., a button press and a voice interaction) may act asconfirmation that the user wishes to perform a particular action (e.g.,ordering the item mapped to the button 112).

At 286, the local hub 110 may transmit the signal including the buttonID and/or the wave profile ID (or a number) to the enterpriseapplication 126 (e.g., via the Internet), which may process the signalto identify mapped item attributes, quantity, and/or order information,for example, as described above, at 288. For example, the local hub 110may transmit the one or more order signals to the remote server 122based on the interchangeable button 112 being actuated and the local hub110 receiving the actuation signal from the interchangeable button 112.For instance the order signal may instruct the remote server to performa defined operation using the button ID. It should be noted that,although not shown, the signal may be encrypted.

The enterprise application 126, operating on the server 122, may receivethe order signal identifying a button ID from an interchangeable-buttonhub 110 coupled with one or more interchangeable buttons and aninstruction to the server to perform an operation using the button ID.

In some implementations, the enterprise application 126 may determineattributes of an item associated with the interchangeable button basedon the button ID, a mapping of button IDs stored on a databaseaccessible to the enterprise application 126, and/or the instruction tothe enterprise application 126 to perform a defined operation. Forinstance, the defined operation may include placing an order for an itemassociated with the button ID, transmitting a confirmation notificationto an interchangeable-button hub 110 or client device 106 (e.g., basedon an executed operation), or executing another automated task.

In some implementations, at 290, the enterprise application 126 maytransmit a signal to the local hub 110 including output instructions,which may instruct the local hub 110 to output item attribute, quantity,and/or order information based on the output instructions or otherwiseprovide a confirmatory output at 292, for example, of the performance ofa defined operation by the enterprise application 126. As describedabove, the output may include words, a chime, ding, or other audio orvisual output.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example button 112 and a button hanger 302. Thebutton hanger 302 may be mounted 312 to a shelf so that the button 112is adjacent to a storage location of an item to which it is mapped. Thebutton hanger 302 may include a series of mounts 312 or receptacleswhich are adapted to receive and retain a button 112 in place, forexample.

In some implementations, as illustrated, a button hanger 302 may includean elongated or long narrow body shaped to fit on the front of shelves.The button hanger 302 may include button receptacles/mounts 312positioned longitudinally along the length of the body and adapted toreceive and retain buttons 112. In some implementations, the buttonhanger 302 may be fitted with magnets, hooks, or other hangingmechanisms to attach the button hanger 302 to a shelf, wall, or door,etc., although it should be noted that a button hanger 302 is notrequired to “hang.” It should be understood that although round buttons112 and an elongated button hanger 302 are depicted, other sizes,shapes, and configurations of buttons 112 and button hangers 302 arepossible and contemplated without departing from the techniquesdescribed herein.

As shown, a button 112 may be mounted 312 in a hanger 302 that can bemounted in any orientation (e.g., horizontally, vertically, etc.) fromany surface using any suitable fastener, such as an adhesive, hook andloop, snaps, etc. The hangar may include correspondingly sized mounts312 for the buttons 112. For example, the button 112 may be mounted inthe mount 312, etc. In some implementations, a button 112 may includeone or more retainers to retain the button 112 in the mount 312. Forexample but not limitation, as shown in FIG. 3, the button 112 mayinclude one, two, or more protrusions 314 and the mounts 312 may includeone or more compatible recesses 316 that mate when the button 112 ismounted 312 in the mount 312. However, it should be understood that anyother suitable coupling device (e.g., magnets) could be used to retainthe buttons 112 in the mounts 312.

In some implementations, the button 112 may include a processor and anon-transitory memory storing instructions that are executable by theprocessor to transmit the button ID and/or other information to deviceswithin the button's 112 transmission field, such as the local hub 110 orsmart button hanger 132. In some implementations, the button 112 maytransmit the button ID using Bluetooth or other near-field communicationprotocols.

While the hanger 302 is depicted as including five mounts 312 in series,it should be understood that the hanger 302 may include any number ofmounts 312 arranged in any sort of pattern. In addition, while thebuttons 112 and mounts 312 are depicted as being circular in nature, itshould be understood that any suitable shape, geometry, thickness,and/or materials may be used for the buttons 112, the mounts 312, andthe hanger 302.

FIG. 4A is an illustration of an example smart button hanger 132 a (alsoreferred to herein as smart hanger 132). FIG. 4B illustrates an examplebackside to a button 112 for use with a smart hanger 132. FIG. 4Cillustrates an example mount 312 of a mount 312 of a smart hanger 132 atwhich a button 112 may be mounted. FIG. 4D illustrates another examplesmart button hanger 132 b.

In some implementations, the smart hanger 132 may include and/or may bewired to a battery or other power source. The smart hanger 132 mayinclude a power module for powering and/or charging the buttons 112. Thesmart hanger 132 may include processing capability, a communicationunit, and/or mounts 312 for interchangeably receiving, retaining, and,in some implementations, communicating with buttons 112. For example,the button 112 and mount 312 (e.g., as illustrated in FIGS. 4B and 4C,respectively) may include contacts 424 and 426 respectively forconveying power and/or data between a smart hanger 132 and button 112.For example, the power module may include charging components, such as atransformer, power regulator, and/or other electrical componentstransforming the input power source to appropriate an output powersource for recharging the battery(ies) of the buttons 112. This isadvantageous as it can extend the battery life of the buttons 112 asthey are mounted in and held by the smart hanger 132. Other variationsare also possible, such as but not limited one where the buttons 112 maynot include their own batteries but may effectively be plugged into thehanger's power source when mounted on the smart hanger 132.

A smart button hanger 132 may include several mounts 312 (e.g., slots,connection points, etc.) for interchangeably receiving, retaining, andcommunicating with buttons 112. For example, the smart button hanger 132may have a group of mounts 312, which may or may not have buttons 112inserted thereto, for instance, a set of buttons 112 programmed orotherwise mapped to objects may occupy some or all of the mounts 312,while some mounts 312 may be not have buttons 112 placed therein, sothat a user may insert buttons 112 corresponding to specific items(and/or unmapped buttons 112) into the empty mounts 312. As such, thesmart button hanger 132 may be configured with the specific set ofbuttons 112 that a user chooses, such as the button 112 a coupled withthe smart button hanger 132. In some instances, one or more unmappedbuttons 112, such as the button 112 b, may be coupled with the smartbutton hanger 132 to provide an instantly customizable button 112, asdescribed in reference to FIG. 2A, for example.

In some implementations, as illustrated in FIG. 4B, each button 112 mayhave a contact 424 or set of contacts on the back side 422 (or anotherposition) that enable the button 112 to communicate with a correspondingcontact or set of contacts 426 (not illustrated in the example of FIG.4A or 4D) on a slot or mount 312 of a smart hanger 132. These contactsmay transmit the actuation signal from a button 112 to the smart buttonhanger 132 to identify a particular button 112 that is currentlypositioned within one of the mounts 312 and, in some instances, providepower to the buttons 112. It should be noted that although thecommunication mechanism between the buttons 112 and the smart buttonhanger 132 is described as including contacts, the communication mayalso or alternatively be wireless, such as using near fieldcommunication, radio frequency identification (RFID), etc. For example,the smart hanger 132 may include one or more inductive coils or antennafor transmitting signals between the buttons and the smart hanger 132.For instance, the smart hanger 132 may include an inductive coil (orseveral, for example, behind the mounts 312 for holding buttons 112),which provide sufficient current to power a button(s) 112, so that thebutton 112 can transmit its ID or code to the smart hanger 132, etc.

In some implementations, the smart button hanger 132 may include awireless communication unit (e.g., a Bluetooth radio or othercommunication unit) for connecting (e.g., by establishing a wirelesscommunication channel between the smart button hanger 132 and the localhub 110) to the local hub 110 in order to further reduce complexity ofindividual buttons 112 (e.g., by eliminating a wireless radio from thebutton 112). For instance, the buttons 112 may identify themselves tothe smart button hanger 132 (e.g., by transmitting their button IDs viathe contacts 424 and 426 or RFID, etc.) and the smart button hanger 132may then relay the signals received from the buttons 112 to the localhub 110.

In some implementations, the features and operations described above inreference to the local hub 110 may be integrated into the smart buttonhanger 132, so that the smart button hanger 132 can communicate with theapplication server 122. For instance, the smart button hanger 132 mayinclude a cellular or Wi-Fi connection to the network 102, an outputdevice/speaker, a processor, etc.

In some implementations, the buttons 112 used with a smart hanger 132may include a corresponding antenna, coil, and/or computer chipconfigured to communicate with the smart hanger 132 without the button112 necessarily having to contain processing or communicationcapabilities strong enough to communicate wirelessly with a local hub110 or with an application server 122. For instance, a button 112 may bepassive and may only provide a code or ID in response to a request (andpotentially, an electrical current) from the smart hanger 132 and/orlocal hub 110.

In some implementations, a smart hanger 132 may have a circuit boardwith buttons integrated into the board. The smart hanger 132 may includeslots for receiving replaceable decals, which may be used to press thebuttons on the circuit board. The slots/buttons integrated into thesmart hanger 132 may be mappable to button IDs, items, etc., in the sameway as is described above in reference to mappable buttons 112.

The buttons 112 may be interchangeably placed in various of the mounts312. For instance, a user may remove a particular interchangeable button112 from a button mount 312 of a smart button hanger 132. The user maythen place an interchangeable button 112 of the in the button mount 312of the smart button hanger 132. For instance, the new interchangeablebutton 112 may include a different button ID than the original button112. The new interchangeable button 112 may be adapted to transmit thedifferent button ID to the local hub 110 via the smart button hanger132. For example, the new button 112 may be plug-and-play, such that itis automatically recognized (either immediately or upon actuation) whenplaced in the mount 312, so that different interchangeable buttons 112may perform different actions in the same mount 312 without beingspecifically programmed.

FIG. 4D illustrates another example implementation of a smart hanger 132b, for instance, a smart hanger 132 may include an elongated body shapedto attach to the front of a shelf on a shelving unit, so that buttons112 may be placed above, below, or otherwise adjacent to items on theshelf(ves). The smart hanger 132 may include slots, sockets, or mounts312 for buttons 112 (whether passive or active, as described above) andmay include one or more integrated buttons. The smart hanger 132 mayinclude, be integrated with, or communicatively coupled with (e.g., viaBluetooth, electrical contacts, or another communication channel) thelocal hub 110. In some implementations, the smart hanger 132 may includea keypad mechanism 442, an activation mechanism (e.g., not shown,included in the keypad 442, etc.), an approval button 444, and/or othercomponents (e.g., a microphone, speaker, communication unit, etc., asdescribed above). For example, as illustrated, the smart hanger 132 bmay include a keypad mechanism 442 (e.g., a number pad) integrated withthe smart hanger 132 b across a top surface of a body of the smarthanger 132 b, although other configurations are possible andcontemplated herein. In some implementations, the keypad 442 may serveas an activation mechanism. For example, a particular button/key orsequence of numbers/keys may be pressed on the keypad 442 to activatethe smart hanger 132 b or all buttons 112 coupled with the smart hanger132 b and/or local hub 110. In some implementations, the keypad 442 mayserve as a keypad mechanism as described in reference to FIG. 2D, forexample.

In some implementations, a local hub 110 may be connected to variouscombinations of active buttons 112 (e.g., using Bluetooth, etc., tocommunicate with the local hub 110) and smart hangers 132 (e.g., withpassive buttons 112). Similarly, a smart hanger 132 may include bothactive (e.g., communicatively connected directly to the local hub 110)and passive buttons 112 (e.g., communicatively connected with the localhub 110 via the smart hanger 132), depending on the implementation.

In some implementations, as described above, a smart hanger 132 mayinclude a battery, which may power passive buttons 112, for example,using a contact, induction coil, or antenna. As such, the battery lifeof the smart hanger 132 may be more easily managed than the batteries ofeach individual button 112. In some implementations, the smart hanger132 may be plugged into an electrical outlet or may have electricalcontacts for receiving electrical current from another source. Forinstance, a rack or shelving system may have built in contacts forproviding electrical power to a smart hanger 132, button 112, local hub110, or other device.

FIG. 5A is an illustration of an example remote control device 502 forcommunicating with the local hub 110. In some implementations, theremote control device 502 may serve as an activation mechanism 116activating the buttons 112 as described elsewhere herein in response toa button press on the remote control device 502 or in response to theremote control device 502 being within a defined range of the local hub110, although other implementations are possible. For example, theremote control device 502 may be paired with a local hub 110 (ormultiple local hubs 110) using Bluetooth and, when the remote controldevice 502 is within a defined range (e.g., based on presence ofBluetooth connection or determination of distance, for instance, basedon signal strength), the local hub 110 may activate the set of buttons112 connected to the local hub 110.

In some implementations, the remote control device 502 may identifyand/or authenticate a user to the local hub 110 and/or enterpriseapplication 126. Accordingly, if the user is authenticated, then definedorders, quantities, items, or values may be permitted by the enterpriseapplication 126 to be ordered by that user, according to administratorsettings. The signal(s) transmitted by the local hub 110 to theenterprise application 126 may also identify the remote control device502 to associate the items ordered with a particular user.

In some implementations, the remote control device 502 may include oneor more buttons 504 and/or 506 that, when actuated, cause the remotecontrol device 502 to transmit a signal to the local hub 110, which maythen relay the signal to the enterprise application 126, for instance.The signal generated by the remote control device 502 may modify anorder (e.g., quantity, as described in FIG. 2D) generated in response toa most recent button press of a mapped button 112 connected to the localhub 110. In some implementations, a first button 506 may cause the orderquantity of the item to be decreased by a first given amount and asecond button 504 may cause the order quantity of the item to beincreased by a second given amount. For instance, if a button press of amapped button 112 causes 8 packages of tape to be placed in an order,then a single press of the first button 506 may reduce the numberordered to 7 or a single press of the second button 504 may increase thenumber ordered to 9. In some implementations, the buttons 504 and 506 ofthe remote control device 502 may operate in the same way as the mappedbuttons 112 described above.

It should be noted that these quantities are provided as examples. Itshould also be noted that the remote control device 502 may take otherforms and may have additional or fewer buttons (e.g., a separateactivation or cancelation button). For instance, the remote controldevice 502 may be implemented as a keychain or other form factor, ormay, in some implementations, be implemented as an application on aclient device 106. In some instances, the remote control device 502 mayinclude, for example, a keypad 542, as illustrated in FIG. 5C.

FIG. 5B illustrates an example activation button or mechanism 116. Asdescribed in further detail elsewhere herein, the activation mechanism116 may be an active button communicatively coupled with a local hub110, or the activation mechanism 116 may be specifically programmedpassive button used with a smart hanger 132. The activation mechanism116 may establish a communication channel with the local hub 110 and maytransmit a signal, which indicates to the local hub 110, smart hanger132, and/or application server 122 to activate the buttons 112, smarthangers 132, and/or local hub 110, for example. In some instances, theactivation mechanism 116 may also be pressed to perform otheroperations, such as canceling an order, completing or placing an order,or deactivating the buttons 112.

FIG. 5C is an illustration of a keypad mechanism 542, which mayrepresent an implementation of, or perform the operations of, anactivation mechanism 116, a button 112, remote control device 502,and/or a keypad mechanism 442, as described elsewhere herein. In someimplementations, the keypad mechanism 542 may include a battery or otherpower source, a processor, and a communication unit, such as a Bluetoothradio. In some implementations, the keypad mechanism 542 may be astand-alone device, or it may be integrated into a local hub 110 orsmart hanger 132. The keypad mechanism 542 may include a number pad 544for receiving input from a user, which it may then transmit to a localhub 110 for processing and/or relaying to the enterprise application126. For instance, the keypad mechanism 542 may be communicativelycoupled with the local hub 110 via a wireless data connection, whichallows data to be transferred from the keypad mechanism 542 to the localhub 110, such as a quantity signal identifying a quantity.

In some implementations, the keypad mechanism 542 may be a portablewireless device that can be carried throughout a stock room or janitor'scloset. The keypad mechanism 542 may include a magnet or other mountingmechanism for attaching it to a shelving unit, button hanger 302 or 132,local hub 110, or wall.

In some implementations, the activation mechanism 116 and keypadmechanism 542 may be integrated into a single unit or may be placedadjacent to each other within communication range of the local hub 110or another device (e.g., some implementations of a smart hanger 132 orbutton 112) capable of relaying signals (e.g., as in a mesh network) tothe local hub 110.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an example computing system 600, which mayrepresent the computer architecture of a client device 106, local hub110, third-party server 118, application server 122, and/or other devicedescribed herein, depending on the implementation.

In some implementations, as depicted in FIG. 6, the computing system 600may include an enterprise application 126, a web server 124, a clientapplication 108, or another application, depending on the configuration.Depending on the implementation, the computing system 600 may represent,for example, a client device 106, a local hub 110, or an applicationserver 122. For instance, a client device 106 may include a clientapplication 108 (which could incorporate various aspects of theenterprise application 126, in some implementations); and theapplication server 122 may include the web server 124, the enterpriseapplication 126, and/or components thereof, although otherconfigurations are also possible and contemplated.

The enterprise application 126 includes computer logic executable by theprocessor 604 to perform operations discussed elsewhere herein. Theenterprise application 126 may be coupled to the data storage device 608to store, retrieve, and/or manipulate data stored therein and may becoupled to the web server 124, the client application 108, and/or othercomponents of the system 100 to exchange information therewith.

The web server 124 includes computer logic executable by the processor604 to process content requests (e.g., to or from a client device 106 orlocal hub 110). The web server 124 may include an HTTP server, a REST(representational state transfer) service, or other suitable servertype. The web server 124 may receive content requests (e.g., productsearch requests, HTTP requests) from client devices 106, cooperate withthe enterprise application 126 to determine the content, retrieve andincorporate data from the data storage device 608, format the content,and provide the content to the client devices 106.

In some instances, the web server 124 may format the content using a weblanguage and provide the content to a corresponding client application108 for processing and/or rendering to the user for display. The webserver 124 may be coupled to the data storage device 608 to storeretrieve, and/or manipulate data stored therein and may be coupled tothe enterprise application 126 to facilitate its operations.

The client application 108 includes computer logic executable by theprocessor 604 on a client device 106 to provide for user interaction,receive user input, present information to the user via a display, andsend data to and receive data from the other entities of the system 100via the network 102. In some implementations, the client application 108may generate and present user interfaces based at least in part oninformation received from the enterprise application 126 and/or the webserver 124 via the network 102. For example, a customer/user 114 may usethe client application 108 to receive the product pages provided by theapplication server 122, view various products available online, addproducts to a virtual cart, purchase products, receive discounts onproducts, etc. In some implementations, the client application 108includes a web browser and/or code operable therein, a customizedclient-side application (e.g., a dedicated mobile app), a combination ofboth, etc.

As depicted, the computing system 600 may include a processor 604, amemory 606, a communication unit 602, an output device 616, an inputdevice 614, and a data storage device 608, which may be communicativelycoupled by a communication bus 610. The computing system 600 depicted inFIG. 6 is provided by way of example and it should be understood that itmay take other forms and include additional or fewer components withoutdeparting from the scope of the present disclosure. For instance,various components of the computing devices may be coupled forcommunication using a variety of communication protocols and/ortechnologies including, for instance, communication buses, softwarecommunication mechanisms, computer networks, etc. While not shown, thecomputing system 600 may include various operating systems, sensors,additional processors, and other physical configurations. The processor604, memory 606, communication unit 602, etc., are representative of oneor more of these components.

The processor 604 may execute software instructions by performingvarious input, logical, and/or mathematical operations. The processor604 may have various computing architectures to method data signals(e.g., CISC, RISC, etc.). The processor 604 may be physical and/orvirtual, and may include a single core or plurality of processing unitsand/or cores. In some implementations, the processor 604 may be coupledto the memory 606 via the bus 610 to access data and instructionstherefrom and store data therein. The bus 610 may couple the processor604 to the other components of the computing system 600 including, forexample, the memory 606, the communication unit 602, the input device614, the output device 616, and the data storage device 608.

The memory 606 may store and provide access to data to the othercomponents of the computing system 600. The memory 606 may be includedin a single computing device or a plurality of computing devices. Insome implementations, the memory 606 may store instructions and/or datathat may be executed by the processor 604. For example, the memory 606may store one or more of the enterprise application 126, the web server124, the client application 108, and their respective components,depending on the configuration. The memory 606 is also capable ofstoring other instructions and data, including, for example, anoperating system, hardware drivers, other software applications,databases, etc. The memory 606 may be coupled to the bus 610 forcommunication with the processor 604 and the other components ofcomputing system 600.

The memory 606 may include a non-transitory computer-usable (e.g.,readable, writeable, etc.) medium, which can be any non-transitoryapparatus or device that can contain, store, communicate, propagate ortransport instructions, data, computer programs, software, code,routines, etc., for processing by or in connection with the processor604. In some implementations, the memory 606 may include one or more ofvolatile memory and non-volatile memory (e.g., RAM, ROM, hard disk,optical disk, etc.). It should be understood that the memory 606 may bea single device or may include multiple types of devices andconfigurations.

The bus 610 can include a communication bus for transferring databetween components of a computing device or between computing devices, anetwork bus system including the network 102 or portions thereof, aprocessor mesh, a combination thereof, etc. In some implementations, theenterprise application 126, web server 124, client application 108, andvarious other components operating on the computing system/device 100(operating systems, device drivers, etc.) may cooperate and communicatevia a communication mechanism included in or implemented in associationwith the bus 610. The software communication mechanism can includeand/or facilitate, for example, inter-method communication, localfunction or procedure calls, remote procedure calls, an object broker(e.g., CORBA), direct socket communication (e.g., TCP/IP sockets) amongsoftware modules, UDP broadcasts and receipts, HTTP connections, etc.Further, any or all of the communication could be secure (e.g., SSH,HTTPS, etc.).

The communication unit 602 may include one or more interface devices(I/F) for wired and wireless connectivity among the components of thesystem 100. For instance, the communication unit 602 may include, but isnot limited to, various types known connectivity and interface options.The communication unit 602 may be coupled to the other components of thecomputing system 600 via the bus 610. The communication unit 602 canprovide other connections to the network 102 and to other entities ofthe system 100 using various standard communication protocols. In someimplementations, the communication unit 602 may include a (or multiple,for example, for communication with a large number of buttons 112 orwith multiple sources simultaneously) Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, RFID, orother radio, and/or may include wired communication units.

The input device 614 may include any device for inputting informationinto the computing system 600. In some implementations, the input device614 may include one or more peripheral devices. For example, the inputdevice 614 may include a keyboard, a pointing device, microphone, animage/video capture device (e.g., camera), a touch-screen displayintegrated with the output device 616, etc. The output device 616 may beany device capable of outputting information from the computing system600. The output device 616 may include one or more of a display (LCD,OLED, etc.), a printer, a haptic device, audio reproduction device,touch-screen display, a remote computing device, etc. In someimplementations, the output device is a display which may displayelectronic images and data output by a processor of the computing system600 for presentation to a user, such as the processor 604 or anotherdedicated processor.

The data storage device 608 may include one or more information sourcesfor storing and providing access to data. In some implementations, thedata storage device 608 may store data associated with a databasemanagement system (DBMS) operable on the computing system 600. Forexample, the DBMS could include a structured query language (SQL) DBMS,a NoSQL DMBS, various combinations thereof, etc. In some instances, theDBMS may store data in multi-dimensional tables comprised of rows andcolumns, and manipulate, e.g., insert, query, update and/or delete, rowsof data using programmatic operations.

The data stored by the data storage device 608 may organized and queriedusing various criteria including any type of data stored by them, suchas described herein. For example the data storage device 608 may storethe database 128. The data storage device 608 may include data tables,databases, or other organized collections of data. Examples of the typesof data stored by the data storage device 608 may include, but are notlimited to the data described with respect to the figures, for example.

The data storage device 608 may be included in the computing system 600or in another computing system and/or storage system distinct from butcoupled to or accessible by the computing system 600. The data storagedevice 608 can include one or more non-transitory computer-readablemediums for storing the data. In some implementations, the data storagedevice 608 may be incorporated with the memory 606 or may be distincttherefrom.

The components of the computing system 600 may be communicativelycoupled by the bus 610 and/or the processor 604 to one another and/orthe other components of the computing system 600. In someimplementations, the components may include computer logic (e.g.,software logic, hardware logic, etc.) executable by the processor 604 toprovide their acts and/or functionality. In any of the foregoingimplementations, the components may be adapted for cooperation andcommunication with the processor 604 and the other components of thecomputing system 600.

In the above description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specificdetails are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding ofthe present disclosure. However, it should be understood that thetechnology described herein can be practiced without these specificdetails. Further, various systems, devices, and structures are shown inblock diagram form in order to avoid obscuring the description. Forinstance, various implementations are described as having particularhardware, software, and user interfaces. However, the present disclosureapplies to any type of computing device that can receive data andcommands, and to any peripheral devices providing services.

In some instances, various implementations may be presented herein interms of algorithms and symbolic representations of operations on databits within a computer memory. An algorithm is here, and generally,conceived to be a self-consistent set of operations leading to a desiredresult. The operations are those requiring physical manipulations ofphysical quantities. Usually, though not necessarily, these quantitiestake the form of electrical or magnetic signals capable of being stored,transferred, combined, compared, and otherwise manipulated. It hasproven convenient at times, principally for reasons of common usage, torefer to these signals as bits, values, elements, symbols, characters,terms, numbers, or the like.

To ease description, some elements of the system 10 and/or the methodsare referred to using the labels first, second, third, etc. These labelsare intended to help to distinguish the elements but do not necessarilyimply any particular order or ranking unless indicated otherwise.

It should be borne in mind, however, that all of these and similar termsare to be associated with the appropriate physical quantities and aremerely convenient labels applied to these quantities. Unlessspecifically stated otherwise as apparent from the following discussion,it is appreciated that throughout this disclosure, discussions utilizingterms including “processing,” “computing,” “calculating,” “determining,”“displaying,” or the like, refer to the action and processes of acomputer system, or similar electronic computing device, thatmanipulates and transforms data represented as physical (electronic)quantities within the computer system's registers and memories intoother data similarly represented as physical quantities within thecomputer system memories or registers or other such information storage,transmission or display devices.

Various implementations described herein may relate to an apparatus forperforming the operations herein. This apparatus may be speciallyconstructed for the required purposes, or it may comprise ageneral-purpose computer selectively activated or reconfigured by acomputer program stored in the computer. Such a computer program may bestored in a computer readable storage medium, including, but is notlimited to, any type of disk including floppy disks, optical disks,CD-ROMs, and magnetic disks, read-only memories (ROMs), random accessmemories (RAMs), EPROMs, EEPROMs, magnetic or optical cards, flashmemories including USB keys with non-volatile memory or any type ofmedia suitable for storing electronic instructions, each coupled to acomputer system bus.

The technology described herein can take the form of an entirelyhardware implementation, an entirely software implementation, orimplementations containing both hardware and software elements. Forinstance, the technology may be implemented in software, which includesbut is not limited to firmware, resident software, microcode, etc.Furthermore, the technology can take the form of a computer programproduct accessible from a computer-usable or computer-readable mediumproviding program code for use by or in connection with a computer orany instruction execution system. For the purposes of this description,a computer-usable or computer readable medium can be any non-transitorystorage apparatus that can contain, store, communicate, propagate, ortransport the program for use by or in connection with the instructionexecution system, apparatus, or device.

A data processing system suitable for storing and/or executing programcode may include at least one processor coupled directly or indirectlyto memory elements through a system bus. The memory elements can includelocal memory employed during actual execution of the program code, bulkstorage, and cache memories that provide temporary storage of at leastsome program code in order to reduce the number of times code must beretrieved from bulk storage during execution. Input or I/O devices(including but not limited to keyboards, displays, pointing devices,etc.) can be coupled to the system either directly or throughintervening I/O controllers.

Network adapters may also be coupled to the system to enable the dataprocessing system to become coupled to other data processing systems,storage devices, remote printers, etc., through intervening privateand/or public networks. Wireless (e.g., Wi-Fi™) transceivers, Ethernetadapters, and Modems, are just a few examples of network adapters. Theprivate and public networks may have any number of configurations and/ortopologies. Data may be transmitted between these devices via thenetworks using a variety of different communication protocols including,for example, various Internet layer, transport layer, or applicationlayer protocols. For example, data may be transmitted via the networksusing transmission control protocol/Internet protocol (TCP/IP), userdatagram protocol (UDP), transmission control protocol (TCP), hypertexttransfer protocol (HTTP), secure hypertext transfer protocol (HTTPS),dynamic adaptive streaming over HTTP (DASH), real-time streamingprotocol (RTSP), real-time transport protocol (RTP) and the real-timetransport control protocol (RTCP), voice over Internet protocol (VOIP),file transfer protocol (FTP), WebSocket (WS), wireless access protocol(WAP), various messaging protocols (SMS, MMS, XMS, IMAP, SMTP, POP,WebDAV, etc.), or other known protocols.

Finally, the structure, algorithms, and/or interfaces presented hereinare not inherently related to any particular computer or otherapparatus. Various general-purpose systems may be used with programs inaccordance with the teachings herein, or it may prove convenient toconstruct more specialized apparatus to perform the required methodblocks. The required structure for a variety of these systems willappear from the description above. In addition, the specification is notdescribed with reference to any particular programming language. It willbe appreciated that a variety of programming languages may be used toimplement the teachings of the specification as described herein.

The foregoing description has been presented for the purposes ofillustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or tolimit the specification to the precise form disclosed. Manymodifications and variations are possible in light of the aboveteaching. As will be understood by those familiar with the art, thespecification may be embodied in other specific forms without departingfrom the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. Likewise, theparticular naming and division of the modules, routines, features,attributes, methodologies and other aspects are not mandatory orsignificant, and the mechanisms that implement the specification or itsfeatures may have different names, divisions and/or formats.Furthermore, the modules, routines, features, attributes, methodologiesand other aspects of the disclosure can be implemented as software,hardware, firmware, or any combination of the foregoing. Also, wherevera component, an example of which is a module, of the specification isimplemented as software, the component can be implemented as astandalone program, as part of a larger program, as a plurality ofseparate programs, as a statically or dynamically linked library, as akernel loadable module, as a device driver, and/or in every and anyother way known now or in the future. Additionally, the disclosure is inno way limited to implementation in any specific programming language,or for any specific operating system or environment.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system comprising: a button holder including abutton mount and an electrical contact, the button mount receiving andretaining an interchangeable button, the electrical contact providingelectrical power to the interchangeable button and receiving a buttonidentification code (button ID) from the interchangeable button when theinterchangeable button is actuated within the button mount; theinterchangeable button storing the button ID, the interchangeable buttonbeing adapted to transmit the button ID via the electrical contact whenthe interchangeable button is coupled with the button mount of thebutton holder and actuated; and a local hub including a processor and acommunication unit, the communication unit transmitting data to andreceiving data from a remote server, the communication unit receivingthe button ID from one or more of the interchangeable button and thebutton holder.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the local hub includesa non-transitory memory storing instructions that, when executed by theprocessor, cause the local hub to: receive an actuation signal from theinterchangeable button via the communication unit, the actuation signalincluding the button ID, the actuation signal indicating an actuation ofthe interchangeable button; generate one or more order signals based onthe actuation signal, the one or more order signals identifying thebutton ID; and transmit the one or more order signals to the remoteserver based on the interchangeable button being actuated and the localhub receiving the actuation signal from the interchangeable button, theone or more order signals instructing the remote server to perform adefined operation using the button ID.
 3. The system of claim 2, whereinthe instructions further cause the local hub to: activate a microphonecoupled with the local hub; receive audio from the microphone coupledwith the local hub; process the audio to determine a quantity; andgenerate the one or more order signals based on the quantity.
 4. Thesystem of claim 3, wherein the instructions further cause the local hubto: match the audio received from the microphone against an audio waveprofile from a set of audio wave profiles, the local hub storing the setof audio wave profiles on a local storage device coupled with the localhub; and determine the quantity based on the matched audio wave profile.5. The system of claim 3, wherein the local hub activates the microphonecoupled with the local hub for a defined time period and deactivates themicrophone after an expiration of the defined time period, themicrophone being activated based on the actuation signal received fromthe interchangeable button.
 6. The system of claim 2, wherein theinstructions further cause the local hub to: receive a quantity signalfrom a keypad mechanism communicatively coupled with the local hub, thequantity signal identifying a number; and generate the one or more ordersignals based on the quantity signal received from the keypad mechanism.7. The system of claim 6, wherein the keypad mechanism iscommunicatively coupled with the local hub via a wireless dataconnection, the wireless data connection allowing data to be transferredfrom the keypad mechanism to the local hub.
 8. The system of claim 6,wherein the keypad mechanism is integrated with the button holder in ahanger body of the button holder.
 9. The system of claim 1, wherein theinterchangeable button includes a second communication unit providing awireless communication channel between the interchangeable button andthe communication unit of the local hub.
 10. The system of claim 1,wherein the button holder receives an actuation signal from theinterchangeable button and transmits the actuation signal from theinterchangeable button to the local hub.
 11. The system of claim 1,wherein the button holder is physically coupled with the interchangeablebutton using the electrical contact and wirelessly coupled with thelocal hub using the communication unit, the button holder including acorresponding communication unit adapted to transmit data to thecommunication unit of the local hub.
 12. The system of claim 1, whereinthe button holder includes the button mount for receiving and retainingthe interchangeable button and a non-interchangeable button integratedinto the button holder.
 13. The system of claim 1, wherein the remoteserver determines attributes of an item associated with theinterchangeable button based on the button ID and a mapping of buttonIDs stored on a database accessible to the remote server, and transmitsan instruction to the local hub based on the attributes of the item. 14.A computer-implemented method comprising: receiving, by a local hub, anactuation signal from a particular button of one or more interchangeablebuttons communicatively coupled with the local hub, the actuation signalincluding a button identification code (button ID) identifying theparticular button, the actuation signal indicating an actuation of theparticular button, the actuation signal being transmitted by theparticular button via an electrical contact when the particular buttonis coupled with a button mount, the button mount adapted to receive thebutton ID from the particular button when the particular button isactuated within the button mount and relay the button ID to the localhub; generating, by the local hub, one or more order signals based onthe actuation signal, the one or more order signals identifying thebutton ID; transmitting, by the local hub, the one or more order signalsto a server based on the particular button being actuated and the localhub receiving the actuation signal from the particular button, the oneor more order signals instructing the server to perform a definedoperation using the button ID; and outputting, by the local hub, aconfirmation notification based on data received from the server basedon the defined operation.
 15. The computer-implemented method of claim14, further comprising: activating, by the local hub, a microphonecoupled with the local hub; receiving, by the local hub, audio from themicrophone coupled with the local hub; processing, by the local hub, theaudio to determine a quantity; and generating, by the local hub, the oneor more order signals based on the quantity.
 16. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 15, further comprising: matching,by the local hub, the audio received from the microphone against anaudio wave profile from a set of audio wave profiles, the local hubstoring the set of audio wave profiles on a local storage device coupledwith the local hub; and determining, by the local hub, the quantitybased on the matched audio wave profile.
 17. The computer-implementedmethod of claim 15, wherein the local hub activates the microphonecoupled with the local hub for a defined time period and deactivates themicrophone an after expiration of the defined time period, themicrophone being activated based on the actuation signal received fromthe particular button.
 18. The computer-implemented method of claim 14,further comprising: receiving, by the local hub, a quantity signal froma keypad mechanism communicatively coupled with the local hub, thequantity signal identifying a quantity; and generating, by the localhub, the one or more order signals based on the quantity signal receivedfrom the keypad mechanism.
 19. The computer-implemented method of claim18, wherein the keypad mechanism is communicatively coupled with thelocal hub via a wireless communication channel, the wirelesscommunication channel allowing data to be transferred from the keypadmechanism to the local hub.
 20. The computer-implemented method of claim18, wherein the keypad mechanism is integrated into a button hanger, thebutton hanger including a power source, a processor, a communicationunit for wirelessly communicating with the local hub, and one or morebutton mounts for receiving and retaining the one or moreinterchangeable buttons.
 21. The computer-implemented method of claim14, wherein the one or more interchangeable buttons each include asecond communication unit providing a wireless communication channelbetween each of the one or more interchangeable buttons and the localhub.
 22. The computer-implemented method of claim 14, furthercomprising: receiving, by a button hanger, the actuation signal from theparticular button, the button hanger including a power source, aprocessor, and one or more button mounts for receiving and retaining theone or more interchangeable buttons; and transmitting, by the buttonhanger, the actuation signal from the particular button to the localhub.
 23. The computer-implemented method of claim 22, wherein the buttonhanger is physically communicatively coupled with the particular buttonusing one or more electrical contacts, and the button hanger iswirelessly communicatively coupled with the local hub.
 24. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 22, wherein the button hangerincludes an elongated body adapted to fit on a front of a shelf, the oneor more button mounts being positioned longitudinally along a length ofthe elongated body.
 25. The computer-implemented method of claim 14,further comprising: removing the particular button from the button mountof a button hanger; and placing a new button of the one or moreinterchangeable buttons in the button mount of the button hanger, thenew button including a different button ID than the particular button,the new button adapted to transmit the different button ID to the localhub via the button hanger.
 26. The computer-implemented method of claim14, further comprising: receiving, by the local hub, an activationsignal from an activation button communicatively coupled with the localhub, the activation signal indicating that the activation button hasbeen pressed, the local hub being communicatively coupled with theserver; and activating, by the local hub, the one or moreinterchangeable buttons connected to the local hub in response toreceiving the activation signal.
 27. The computer-implemented method ofclaim 14, further comprising: determining, by the server, attributes ofan item associated with the particular button based on the button ID anda mapping of button IDs stored on a database accessible to the server;and transmitting, by the server, the data to the local hub based on theattributes of the item.
 28. A computer-implemented method comprising:receiving, by a server, an order signal from an interchangeable-buttonhub coupled with one or more interchangeable buttons, the order signalincluding a button identification code (button ID) identifying aparticular interchangeable button of the one or more interchangeablebuttons and an instruction to the server to perform an operation usingthe button ID, the order signal indicating actuation of the particularinterchangeable button, the interchangeable-button hub including abutton mount and an electrical contact adapted to receive the button IDfrom the particular interchangeable button when the particularinterchangeable button is actuated within the button mount, theparticular interchangeable button transmitting the button ID via theelectrical contact when the particular interchangeable button is coupledwith the button mount; determining, by the server, attributes of an itemassociated with the particular interchangeable button based on thebutton ID, a mapping of button IDs stored on a database accessible tothe server, and the instruction to the server to perform the operationusing the button ID; executing, by the server, the operation based onthe order signal; and transmitting, by the server, a confirmationnotification to the interchangeable-button hub based on the operation.